Cheryl Maisch, wife of Robert R. Maisch passed away on March 3rd, 2018 in Mobridge, South Dakota. Cheryl was a native of Portland Maine and attended Endicott College in Massachusetts. She and her husband, Robert, were very active in numismatics not only in New England where she became the vice president of NENA in 1983 but in the many other parts of the country where life brought them, including as far west as Hawaii.Nationally, Cheryl served the ANA in various capacities that included working with Young Numismatists (YNs) and convention judging both in the YN category and in Tokens and Medals. Cheryl was also a board member of the Token and Medal Society and both she and Robert were awarded the ANA Distinguished Medal of Merit award for devoted efforts to numismatic education. In 1991 both Cheryl and Robert were awarded the Numismatic Ambassador Award—then a Numismatic News sponsored accolade. These are only a few of the accomplishments for which she was recognized across the country in places where she and her husband lived at different times of their lives.

A memorial service is planned for early summer. Condolences may be sent to: The Maisch Family P.O. Box 98 Mobridge, SD 57601.

On Saturday November 4th, our activities included the John Kittredge Young Numismatist Program sponsored by NENA and the Kittredge Foundation, the Club Table where visitors could purchase this year’s medals and pay their dues, the Exhibits Gallery; our “What is it Table”, ANA Membership and Information Table, and the Annual Meeting that included the awards and election of officers.

The Young Numismatist program was held from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and was headed by Richard J. Hand Jr. with the assistance of Diane Zuck, Richard Ziegler and Donat Charron. This year’s program was very well attended with 45 Y.N’s including nine Boy Scouts from Troop 66, Thompson, CT; The nine scouts, troop leaders plus three local Y.N’s were sponsored by the Mansfield Numismatic Society who’s generous donation made it possible for the scouts to attend the program. The group from Connecticut also received one year ANA Memberships thanks to the generous donations by David Pepe of Pilgrim Coin and Currency, Weymouth, MA and Ernie Botte, EBW Promotions.

The “What is it Table” was set up adjacent to our Club Table where several volunteers including Robert Hewey and John Ferreri answered questions and helped identify coins and other numismatic items that were brought to the table.

This year’s exhibits were outstanding; we had six exhibits with a total of thirteen cases. There were two Non-Competitive exhibits including a three case exhibit that highlighted NENA’s history and a two case exhibit featuring Connecticut Town Medals. There were four Competitive exhibits including a two case exhibit on Polymer Banknotes; one case on Large Silver Rounds; three cases on Youth Institution Scrip and two cases on Hometown Collecting.

Brian Maxfield won the Eliott Goldberg Best of Show Award for his exhibit on “Hometown Collecting” and received an acrylic plaque and a 1/10 oz. Gold Eagle; Robert Fritsch took Second Place with his exhibit on “Polymer Banknotes” and received an engraved plaque and a one ounce Silver Eagle; Robert Hewey took third place with his exhibit on “Youth Institution Scrip” and received an engraved plaque. Brian Maxfield also received the People’s Choice Award for his exhibit on “Hometown Collecting” and was given an engraved plaque and a one ounce Silver Eagle. All exhibitors received a silver uniface medal with the NENA logo on the obverse. The committee gratefully appreciated the time taken by the three Judges to evaluate the exhibits and each judge was given a special NENA medal in a black finish with the NENA logo on one side and a pointing hand with “you make the difference” on the other side.

The Annual Meeting took place from 3:00- 4:00 P.M. and was open to members and non-members alike. The meeting started with a brief talk by Bob Fritch titled ““The Sad Story of The Luther Little and Hesper”. This was followed with the Annual Business Meeting that included the Awards and the elections for Officers.

The New England Numismatic Association honored and paid tribute to Terrance O’Connor with the “John and Mary Mullen Lifetime Achievement Award” for his contributions to this organization and the New England Numismatic Community. Terry had put in many hours as our State Director for Massachusetts, Membership Director and served on our 75th, anniversary banquet committee, he also produced the programs for that event. It was always our intention to recognize him for his extraordinary efforts with this organization but unfortunately he had passed unexpectedly before any such appreciation could be given. The award was presented on Terry’s behalf to his son Tyler.

A Presidential Award was presented to Donat Charron for his dedication and outstanding work as State Director for Connecticut and his role as the chairman for the 75th, Anniversary Banquet.The Mansfield Numismatic Society was also presented with a Presidential Award for their longtime support of this association and generous donation to our Y.N. Program and initiative to bring Y.N.’s and Scouts to our program.

The Elections were held resulting in the following changes to our Board: Yale Lansky was elected to the position of Director, taking over the seat that was previously held by Robert Hess. We would like to express our thanks to Mr. Hess for his service as Director.

We then held the drawings for the door prizes that included a 2017 Silver Eagle and a 2017 NENA medals set.

We would like to thank all those that helped make this a successful event including our board, committees, volunteers and members. Ernie Botte and EBW Promotions for providing the exhibit space and meeting room for our event; The Kittredge Foundation and Mansfield Numismatic Society for their generous financial support of our YN Program; The dealers for their generous donations of coins, medals, tokens and supplies for the Y.N’s.

The New England Numismatic Association is seeking exhibits for the New Hampshire Coin and Currency Expo’s spring show, March 30-31. The exhibit competition will take place on Saturday March 31st, 2018 at the Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH.

One of the strengths of NENA in the past has not only been the numismatic bourse at the conventions but the education of fellow numismatists and the public through speakers, club meetings and exhibiting. As an incentive to get more Y.N. involvement in our Exhibit Program all youngsters under the age of 18 will receive a free one year Junior Membership for submitting an application and placing an Exhibit in this year’s Exhibit Competition.

Exhibiting is a wonderful way of sharing, educating and imparting your knowledge to fellow numismatists and especially the public. The beauty of an exhibit can encourage others to collect similar material or may be attractive to people because of the numismatic knowledge people may learn. Exhibits can be competitive or Non-Competitive and set up not to compete but to show or impart numismatic information to the public. There is always a need for exhibits and they truly complement a good numismatic show.

In this issue of NENA News we have included the Exhibit Rules and Application. The Application needs to be filled out letting the Exhibit Coordinator (s) know the time of arrival one is going to set up the exhibit. All exhibitors have a deadline to fill out and send an application with the title and numismatic area of exhibiting, and the Exhibits have to be set up by a certain time so that cases can be locked and judged. An exhibit would consist of a title, numismatic items and usually but not necessarily numismatic information. Numismatic information usually enhances an exhibit especially if the exhibiting is to be competitive with judging. On request NENA will provided the use of display cases if needed.

Awards will be presented based on the overall rating of the Judges. The Best of Show award will be presented to the exhibit which has the highest overall rating and will receive a plaque and a prize award of a 1/10 ounce gold Eagle. Second and Third Place will receive an engraved plaque and a 1oz. Silver Eagle.

The People’s Choice Award will be decided by ballots cast by exhibit viewers and will receive an engraved plaque and a 1oz. Silver Eagle.

Junior Applicants under age 18 will also be eligible to receive a Y.N. Award Plaque for First, Second or Third Place. In addition they will also receive a numismatic prize.

Everyone has expertise in some collecting area, so if you are looking for a way to share this then exhibiting can be a wonderful way of doing it. NENA is always looking for people to set up and display an exhibit. If you have never set up an exhibit before notify NENA and we can help you. It is always a great learning experience.

For more information including an application and rules, select "Exhibits" above or request a hard copy by mail:

The aims and purposes of the Association shall be set forth in the agreement of the Association as follows:

To encourage and develop the appreciation and understanding of numismatics in the New England states and elsewhere; To encourage and enforce, when necessary, the highest ethical standards of behavior of our members; To conduct courses of study in the art and science of numismatics; To edit and publish various forms of numismatic literature; To give and sponsor lectures, exhibitions, displays and functions pertaining to the appreciation and understanding of the art and science of numismatics.

NENA Exhibit Sampler

A nice exhibit of animal themed banknotes.

An exhibit of New Hampshire Police Department medals

An exhibit of medals designed by the renown Swiss medalist Antoine Bovy